Thursday, 31 January 2013

But Livingstone knew all the tricks. He claimed he had ‘discovered’ a
vast mountain of cash that TfL had been sitting on and not using. He pointed to
official figures apparently showing there was a £700m-odd ‘surplus’ in the TfL
accounts that he would now use to cut fares by 5%. This number was the
so-called ‘operating surplus’ – the difference between what TfL thought they
would spend on running the system and what they actually did, combined with the
difference between what they thought they would get in fare revenue and what
they actually did.

Livingstone knew very well that this ‘surplus’ had existed for years,
particularly when he was Mayor. He also knew that it was allocated to
investment projects, just like it was when he was Mayor. It was money that
appeared spare, but was in fact earmarked for things that would improve the
system. It was why he never once used it to cut fares himself.

It was a common tactic to claim this was ‘unspent’ money, just as the
Conservatives on the London Assembly had tried in 2007. Back then, Mayor Ken
explained why it couldn’t be used:

“There
has been some fascinating speculation in the press that I have a £500 million
slush fund that I can spend between now and the election.You know me; if I had it I would, but I do
not.There is the small matter of the
need for TfL to balance its budget in law, and the balances we carry are all
allocated against the range of projects coming forward.28”

Moreover, Livingstone was equally clear about the choice between cutting
fares and cutting investment. When it was proposed he use this money to fund
fare cuts in 2007, he replied:

“That is fine as long as it also has the honesty to go on and say what I
should cut whilst cutting the fare increase.29”

In the heat of an election campaign, these fine distinctions were
irrelevant and Livingstone knew it. It was a simple calculation. Voters would
understand a proposal to cut their cost of living a lot better than a
complicated argument about surpluses and allocated investment. And people were
feeling the squeeze, so much so they were more than willing to accept a cut to
future investment if it meant immediate relief.

November and December 2011 saw Ken wage a guerrilla campaign against
Boris, using every opportunity to justify and re-enforce his policy. He
suddenly had his compelling offer, and it would prove to be almost irresistible
to voters. It would put us in an awkward position.

Another behind the scenes revelation from "Victory in London - the inside story of hte Boris campaign"

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics. * Launch
Event at Conservative Party Conference. * High profile political
bloggers will push the book * Sunday newspaper serialisation under
negotiation Social Media * The book will be "Book of the Month" for
Bretwalda for November 2012 which will involve an intensive FaceBook and
Twitter push as well as the usual book launch marketing.

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

(Chapter 49,
page 304:… He breaths deeply, and looks over Arnarfjordur to Dynjandi...*)

Arnarfjörður, according to the
medieval Book of Settlements,
Arnarfjörður in the West Fjords is named after the settler Örn – Eagle – from
Rogaland in Norway. When Iceland was settled around 900 AD, he was the first
settler in the fjord. Arnarfjörður is a huge, wide, deep fjord, a place of
stunning natural beauty with its own mystical ambiance and sea monsters, the
waterfall Dynjandi and awe inspiring rugged mountains. Jón Sigurðsson was born
at Hrafnseyri in Arnarfjörður.

Book Description

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

A gripping political thriller set a few years into the
future when the EU has become a fully federal superstate. A political
elite out of control. A lone man seeking the truth Murder, mayhem and
intrigue leading to the Vulture's Lair Brussels. The highest ranking
Icelandic official at the United States of Europe, Solman Smithson,
hears the voice of his old friend Krummi, who is fighting off armed
guards. Krummi and Solman grew up together in the Westman Islands but
while Solman became a bureaucrat, Krummi went to sea as one of Iceland's
last fishermen. The Vulture is looking down on its prey. The chance
encounter takes place as the new president, Erich Devereux, is installed
into power. But rumours circulate that corrupt votes put him in power.
Murders and violent attacks on journalists and academics proliferate in
an apparently unconnected way. And as momentum builds in Iceland for
independence from the USE the tempo of violence and intrigue quickens.
The Vulture moves toward its prey. Fate decrees that only the big
fisherman from the Westman Islands stands in the way of the dark forces
of chaos. But can a fisherman from Iceland work out what is really going
on. And can he survive long enough to make a difference. The Vulture
closes in.

Monday, 28 January 2013

On Monday 23rd April, YouGov released a poll that put Boris narrowly
ahead of Ken, by 51% to 49%. It also showed that the Conservatives were now 19
points adrift from Labour in London. Even though Ken’s personal ratings hadn’t
improved, it was clear Labour voters were returning to him. Our ship was in
remarkably good shape, but the blue anchor dragging it down looked to have
continuing momentum.

Boris and the team were in despair. We had fought hard to put Ken on the
back foot and take maximum advantage of his mistakes. We had a strong message
and a positive agenda for London’s future. Yet it could all count for nothing,
thanks to the Government’s standing. Ever since the botched budget, Boris and
Crosby had been receiving almost daily messages from No.10 apologising and
asking what they could do to help. In response, more than one member of the
campaign team remarked; “They could shut up”.

As we discussed the latest poll, Boris gave a wry smile in response to
our ranting. He put forward the theory that deep down Cameron and Osborne would
be disappointed if he lost, but not for the reasons we thought. The real
reason, he explained, was because they preferred him “boring on in City Hall”
and out of their hair. This was particularly true of Osborne, he pointedly reflected.
It was the briefest flicker of a hint of his wider political ambitions – even
more striking because he would rarely raise the subject. Often, Crosby and
Harri would tease him about it in briefing sessions, to which he would allow
nothing more than a coy, slightly embarrassed smile. His analysis certainly had
a point; it would be difficult for Boris to return to Parliament before the
completion of a second term as Mayor. The triumvirate may have open channels of
communication, but at the end of the day they’re still rivals.

We resolved that all we could do was keep hammering our positive themes
on the one hand and make sure Ken’s taxes were still being talked about on the
other.

Although we were nervous during
these final days, if Boris was he didn’t show it. As we waited in the green
room before the final live TV debate of the election on ITV, Boris stood
outside gathering his thoughts. The other candidates seemed to ease off too.
Ken Livingstone held court amongst the assortment of other candidates and
advisors; loudly bemoaning the loss of a political drinking culture and how it
had made politics a duller affair. He jovially explained that he could drink a
bottle of wine and the only person that would notice any difference would be
his wife.

After
the debate, Boris and those of us with him decamped to a nearby steakhouse and
had dinner. He was feeling confident and relaxed. It was one of the rare times
that we had all switched off for a moment and just enjoyed each other’s
company. Boris opened up quite a bit, expressing his admiration for Ken as the
most resilient left wing politician of his era. Although he disliked him, he
respected his opponent.

Another behind the scenes revelation from "Victory in London - the inside story of hte Boris campaign"

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics. * Launch
Event at Conservative Party Conference. * High profile political
bloggers will push the book * Sunday newspaper serialisation under
negotiation Social Media * The book will be "Book of the Month" for
Bretwalda for November 2012 which will involve an intensive FaceBook and
Twitter push as well as the usual book launch marketing.

Saturday, 26 January 2013

Tommy Dennardis 18 years old and 5'8" tall, with hazel
eyes and reddish brown hair. He has a vertical scar in the centre of his
forehead and a weal on his neck, as well as a mole under his jaw. Unmarried,
Tommy lives alone in an abandoned charcoal burner’s cottage on Aldington
Fright, where he keeps three horses. He has a merry sense of humour and devotes
most of his spare time to the local ladies, maidens and wives alike. He calls
himself a labourer but makes most of his legitimate income from trading horses.
That shared interest has led to a close friendship with James Wilson.

Book Description

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

Violence,
love, loyalty and betrayal among the smugglers who terrorise the coasts
of southern England. For years the Aldington Blues and the Burmarsh
Gang have fought each other over the lucrative smuggling trade in Kent.
The rivalry was bitter and the stakes were high. Now the feud between
the two smuggler leaders, George Ransley and James Hogben, is played out
in deadly earnest. While their men grow rich, fall in love or gamble
away their loot, the intense struggle between Ransley and Hogben follows
a twisted route through bloodshed, treachery and wealth. But times are
changing and the spectre of the gallows hangs over them all when a
popular naval officer is killed by a smuggler. As the government men
close in, the gangs join forces. But will it be enough to stave off
defeat, capture and death?Meticulously researched and based on
contemporary court papers and other records, “A Devil’s Dozen”recreates the vanished world of the smugglers who were once the kings of the British underworld.

Friday, 25 January 2013

On 28th
November 2011 the headline in the Evening Standard was unequivocal: ‘Four more years
of Boris, says poll.’ A Com Res poll had put Boris eight points clear of
Livingstone. It cheered Boris up immensely, but the campaign team was more
circumspect. We were of the view that it was much better to be marginally
behind – all the better to fight complacency with. Complacency was a big
problem; it would mean Conservative voters staying at home in the belief that
Boris would win, allowing Ken to sneak in by the back door by turning out his
own supporters in huge numbers. Our own internal polling had already uncovered
a big expectation that Boris would win. In an election where turnout was
everything, that was a problem. Equally, we were anxious that the sense of
complacency within City Hall was reduced as much as possible. Crosby stressed
that the headline voting intention should be taken with a pinch of salt – it
was based on an unrealistically high turnout of 51% (turnout at the last
mayoral election was a record 45%).

We looked at the detail of the poll, and it confirmed Crosby’s earlier
analysis that an election about transport could only benefit Ken.
Unsurprisingly, Livingstone’s policy of cutting fares was far more popular than
Boris’s policy of increasing them. The argument that higher fares are worth
paying for better services fell on deaf ears, with only 17% agreeing and a
massive 70% opposed. 59% felt that the priority should be keeping fares low,
even if it meant stopping upgrade work. Ken was more trusted on transport, and
a clear majority of Londoners felt that the tube had not improved under Boris
(by 37% to 30%).

The good news was that Boris led in the poll on all the other major
issues, particularly the economy and crime. There was also an interesting
finding that we would seek to capitalise on. An overwhelming majority preferred
Boris open the Olympics than Ken, by 41% to 33%. This was echoed in the focus
groups, where people felt that having such a divisive politician like Ken would
send a negative message to the rest of the world.

The campaign had to stop talking about transport, and start talking
about the other issues where Boris was stronger. However, Boris was very
unhappy about the fares situation. He hates doing anything unpopular and he was
really starting to see just how bad this issue was for him. You couldn’t blame
him – what politician would want to go into an election defending (in effect)
tax increases? He was desperately looking for a way to mitigate the pain
Londoners were feeling.

Fares had taken on a national dimension as well; with a lot of
campaigning by Labour and the unions against the planned national rail fare
increases due in January 2012. Chancellor George Osborne was coming under
pressure and he could see the damage the issue was doing to Boris. Cameron and
Osborne had made clear to Boris from the start that they would do as much as
they could to help him get re-elected, understanding the impact a defeat would
have on Conservative fortunes. As rumours circulated that Osborne might be able
to limit the damage with spare cash, Boris lobbied hard to make sure London
would be included in any relief.

Over the weekend of 26th and 27th November, it was confirmed that in the
forthcoming Autumn Statement extra money had been found to limit the national
and London fare increases. This meant Boris would be able to limit the fare
increase to inflation plus 1% instead of 2%. We greeted the news with mixed
feelings. It was a good way of emphasising one of Boris’s main strengths –
bringing home the bacon from the Treasury. But on the other hand, it wouldn’t
make that much difference and it was nothing compared to what Ken was offering.
It would only prolong a conversation we didn’t want to have. And again, it
risked allowing Ken to set the agenda.

Another exclusive behind the scenes view from the book "Victory in London - the 2012 Boris Johnson Campaign"

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics. * Launch
Event at Conservative Party Conference. * High profile political
bloggers will push the book * Sunday newspaper serialisation under
negotiation Social Media * The book will be "Book of the Month" for
Bretwalda for November 2012 which will involve an intensive FaceBook and
Twitter push as well as the usual book launch marketing.

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Key note: A thrilling supernatural drama set against the turmoil of the English Civil War. This fast-paced action adventure faithfully recreates the psychological reality of the time with its beliefs in demons, witches and other supernatural entities.

England: 1651.

In a land torn apart by Civil War, fear and superstition stalk the kingdom. Lazarus, a powerful sorcerer and necromancer, is seeking to seize ultimate power through occult forces and an unholy pact. He has the skills and he has the means.

All that he now needs is the key to make his nightmare vision of a world ruled by black magic a reality…and he has laid his plans carefully.

Bracken and Dicken Kilfoyle, unaware of the revelations and dark forces that will rip their world apart, are suddenly plunged into a headlong flight that will threaten not only their lives but also their very souls.

Sought by Lazarus and his merciless henchmen, they must fight for survival in a treacherous and unstable world, not knowing who they might trust, and pursued by implacable, demonic entities.

Frank Steel was born in the north of England, which is steeped in the history of witchcraft and superstition, and has an abiding fascination with myth, legend, folklore, religion and the occult. He currently lives in rural Staffordshire with his wife and two sons, and has published several short stories and a children's novel.

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Boris delivered his acceptance speech, which was a version of his stump
mixed in with some gracious observations about Ken (Boris even invited him to
have a drink afterwards) and those Conservative London Assembly members who had
lost their seats. Ken’s concession speech struck me as being typically
graceless and undignified – blaming his defeat on media ‘smears’. He claimed
this was his last election, but quite frankly I didn’t believe him. As we had
found out only too well in the reams of research we conducted during the
campaign, Ken has made a career of saying one thing and doing another (indeed,
just weeks later he was elected to Labour's National Executive Committee).

Nevertheless, his speech was a shame. If this really was his last
election, he should have gone out with the dignity of a statesman, not a bitter
man.

We jumped into a cab and made our way to what we could now officially
call the victory party in Millbank Tower, which overlooked the glittering
lights of the city. The city we had re-captured. When we arrived, the
atmosphere was strange. It was if we had arrived at a pub just after last
orders had been called. People had been at the party since around 6pm and they
were mostly very drunk and tired. Many had already gone home. By contrast, we
were stone cold sober.

Boris arrived a few minutes later to a rapturous reception. I began the
chant of “four more years”, which everyone picked up straight away. He waded
his way through the admirers and up to the stage. The microphone didn’t work
very well, so he had to shout to be heard – although by this stage his voice
was hoarse. He did a re-hash of his speech the night before, and repeated his
line about surviving the Budget and David Cameron’s endorsement. It got the
same thundering laughter.

I shook his hand afterwards and he gave me a bear hug. I congratulated
him on a job well done, and then he was swallowed back up into the crowd.

It was approaching 2am and the bar had shut. I said goodbye to Crosby
and the remaining members of the campaign team and stepped into a cab with my
wife Robyn and set off for home and a long, much needed sleep. A sleep safe in
the knowledge that my job was done, and Ken Livingstone was never to return –
at least for now.

Another behind the scenes exclusive from "Victory in London" by Alex Crowley - the insdie story of the Boris campaign

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics. * Launch
Event at Conservative Party Conference. * High profile political
bloggers will push the book * Sunday newspaper serialisation under
negotiation Social Media * The book will be "Book of the Month" for
Bretwalda for November 2012 which will involve an intensive FaceBook and
Twitter push as well as the usual book launch marketing.

Thursday, 17 January 2013

(Chapter 35, page
229:… Icelanders took their horses and saddles and
rode to greet their hero, Hannes Hafstein, almost two centuries earlier.* )

Hannes Hafstein (1861 – 1922) was an Icelandic politician and national poet – one
of Iceland‘s most loved poets; known for elegance and wits and still to this
day considered an outstanding politician. In 1904 he became the first Prime
Minister of Iceland and the first Icelander to be appointed to the Danish
Cabinet as the Minister for Iceland, based in Reykjavík as Iceland gained Home
rule. It turned out to be a landmark in Iceland‘s quest for Independence.

Another historic echo in the gripping political thriller "Vulture's Lair" by Hallur Hallsson.

Book Description

Publication Date: 5 April 2012

A gripping political thriller set a few years into the
future when the EU has become a fully federal superstate. A political
elite out of control. A lone man seeking the truth Murder, mayhem and
intrigue leading to the Vulture's Lair Brussels. The highest ranking
Icelandic official at the United States of Europe, Solman Smithson,
hears the voice of his old friend Krummi, who is fighting off armed
guards. Krummi and Solman grew up together in the Westman Islands but
while Solman became a bureaucrat, Krummi went to sea as one of Iceland's
last fishermen. The Vulture is looking down on its prey. The chance
encounter takes place as the new president, Erich Devereux, is installed
into power. But rumours circulate that corrupt votes put him in power.
Murders and violent attacks on journalists and academics proliferate in
an apparently unconnected way. And as momentum builds in Iceland for
independence from the USE the tempo of violence and intrigue quickens.
The Vulture moves toward its prey. Fate decrees that only the big
fisherman from the Westman Islands stands in the way of the dark forces
of chaos. But can a fisherman from Iceland work out what is really going
on. And can he survive long enough to make a difference. The Vulture
closes in.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

The suite of offices for the 2008
Boris Campaign was tucked behind a Star Wars exhibition. In order to get to the
offices, you had to walk through a prop store. Each day, staffers and visitors
alike were greeted with giant Darth Vaders, model aeroplanes and clown
costumes.

At
particularly stressful moments of the campaign, Boris would occasionally
disappear. At first, no one knew where he went. But then one day, someone
discovered his guilty secret – he would hide behind a giant coffin in the prop
store like a naughty cat.

As if the grave importance of our work were not apparent enough, the
theme from Star Wars played on a loop, seven hours a day. They say campaigns
can drive you mad, but this was something else.

Boris came under pressure right from the start. The media and other Tory
politicians were clamoring to know more: what was his pitch to the London
electorate? Why did he want the job? What would he do as Mayor? These were
questions we were asking too. The trouble was, he hadn’t yet come up with the
answers.

Soon after I joined the campaign, Boris called me to discuss how things
were going. He was being overwhelmed with advice about everything – what his
message should be, what policies he should prioritise, how he should attack
Ken. It was apparent he was starting to realize what a mammoth enterprise he
was letting himself in for.

I told him we needed a clear steer from him as to what he wanted his
priorities to be. We had less than two months to develop a whole policy
platform from nothing, so we needed him to engage early so we didn’t waste time
going down blind alleys. We needed to establish what his position was on the
things Livingstone had already done, and what the new initiatives would be.
Above all, Boris needed to do some serious swatting up on what the Mayor was
actually responsible for.

Right from the start, I felt the biggest threat was the charge that
Boris wasn’t serious about the job. Therefore, this had to be neutralized by
getting him up to speed quickly on the basics. He was never going to become an
expert on London government overnight, but by demonstrating a basic grasp of
certain things we could at least show people that he was really committed to
making it work.

Boris was agitating for ‘big ideas’. He enthused about a new Routemaster
bus at length. The idea contained perfect political symmetry for him – it was
something to get excited about, and it was a way to highlight Ken’s
‘miserablist’ attitude to ‘‘elf and safety’.

I told him the big ideas would come – but first he needed to do the hard
grind of knowing the boring details and having strong arguments on the issues
Londoners cared most about. It was like I had pricked a bubble. You could
almost hear the air deflating on the other end of the line. But people are
expecting big ideas, he appealed. I retorted with a challenge; “Ok then, if you
were Mayor for a week, what is the one thing you would do?” The line went silent
for a moment, before he went into full Boris mode; “Uuuh, errrmm, gosh…..”
After a few more silences and spluttered noises, he eventually said; “Can I get
back to you on that?”

from "Victory in London - the inside story of the Boris campaign" by Alex Crowley

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics. * Launch
Event at Conservative Party Conference. * High profile political
bloggers will push the book * Sunday newspaper serialisation under
negotiation Social Media * The book will be "Book of the Month" for
Bretwalda for November 2012 which will involve an intensive FaceBook and
Twitter push as well as the usual book launch marketing.

Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Thomas ‘Datchy’ Gilhamis 18 years old and 5'8" tall, with
hazel eyes and brown hair. He has a mole on the front of his neck and another on
his right shoulder, with a scar on the outside of his left arm. Unmarried, he
has been crewing vessels out of Harwich in Essex and only recently returned to
live with his widowed mother in Kent. An illegitimate child with a pronounced
stammer, he has grown into a capable man. Bitterly resentful of the past, he
smuggles as much to flout the law as to earn money. He comes into the Blues
under the pseudonym Dachet Grey, and uses the name Thomas Carpenter.

Book Description

Publication Date: 28 April 2012

Violence,
love, loyalty and betrayal among the smugglers who terrorise the coasts
of southern England. For years the Aldington Blues and the Burmarsh
Gang have fought each other over the lucrative smuggling trade in Kent.
The rivalry was bitter and the stakes were high. Now the feud between
the two smuggler leaders, George Ransley and James Hogben, is played out
in deadly earnest. While their men grow rich, fall in love or gamble
away their loot, the intense struggle between Ransley and Hogben follows
a twisted route through bloodshed, treachery and wealth. But times are
changing and the spectre of the gallows hangs over them all when a
popular naval officer is killed by a smuggler. As the government men
close in, the gangs join forces. But will it be enough to stave off
defeat, capture and death?Meticulously researched and based on
contemporary court papers and other records, “A Devil’s Dozen”recreates the vanished world of the smugglers who were once the kings of the British underworld.

Book Description

Publication Date: 13 Dec 2012

The inside story of the campaign to put Boris Johnson back
into power as London Mayor told by one of the top members of his
campaign team who was at Boris's side throughout. In 2012 the political
stakes could not be higher. After one term in office and despite
enjoying personal popularity, Boris Johnson faced an uphill battle for
re-election as Mayor of London. Buffeted by Tory unpopularity, the
toughest financial conditions in years and accusations that he was out
of touch and Mayor, Boris faced the fight of his political life. And to
top it all, he was up against Ken Livingstone, one of the most
formidable and ruthless campaigners in British politics. This is the
first and most authoritative book about Boris Johnson's re-election.
Told by an insider, it will reveal the inner workings of the campaign
and how one of the most high profile politicians in the country and his
extraordinary team pulled off an election victory that was closer than
anyone dared think. Based on an unprecedented level of access to all the
key players, including Boris himself and campaign director Lynton
Crosby, this is a must read for anyone interested in politics.